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Down Town Tokyo (aka Shitamachi)
If you're new to Japan. You'll probably have this location mark on your travel agenda, as it is not only #true shitamachi it is also one the most popular tourists areas of Tokyo.I'm an American with over 30 years of living in Japan and my first 15 years where spent in Shitamachi. So, I recommen…(134 words)
DjMarvin
How to enjoy New Years in Japan.
This is an interesting subject, which is actually difficult to answer as there are many ways to enjoy New Year's in Japan. I'll try to tackle this one and give you a few options.Option one: New Years Eve Party!! During this time of the year, there are parties and events everywhere (Roppongi, Gi…(328 words)
DjMarvin
Leave the dog
The most popular meeting place in Shibuya is, by far, at the Hachiko statue, the famous dog. But not only is the place crowded, but the odor of tobacco is extremely difficult to bear for a non-smoker. The best place near Hachiko is inside the green train car located in the plaza area. However, t…(71 words)
mikekato
Hama-rikyu Garden
I recommend the Hama-rikyu Gardens founded in the Edo period. The place is like an oasis in Tokyo. You can relax under the numerous trees in the garden and still see the surrounding skyscrapers. It's a mix of old and modern Tokyo!How to get to this park? 7 minutes walk from Tsukijishijo station…(74 words)
makiko715
The wooded South of Tokyo
South of Tokyo, in Kanagawa prefecture, lies a quiet wood called Kiyokawa-mura. The rivers run through the steep and forested hills of this district, and it is very popular for both camping and barbecues. There are many options for simply camping, but another popular option is renting out a cottage…(128 words)
KurtisW
How do I have fun taking purikura booth photos?
The word "purikura" is shorthand for "print club" (purinto kurabu)." It refers to photo stickers that can be purchased in a photo booth. People enter a purikura booth (akin to machines that take passport photos), pop in a coin, get their photo taken against decorative and playful backgrounds, and …(95 words)
mark
Amusement Parks
Tokyo Disneyland is fun and popular but if you want to have an experience of a unique retro amusement park in Tokyo, I recommend Asakusa Hanayashiki without hesitation. It is the oldest amusement park in Japan (originally opened in 1853) It is extremely small, but there is a ton of stuff packed …(55 words)
Mayu
YMCA
You could always organize futsal games and the like in one of Tokyo's many parks, but the logistics of getting to parks or the riverside can be somewhat difficult. The solution of course is to seek futsal courts within the downtown areas of Tokyo which everyone can access easily. Not to mention hav…(123 words)
KurtisW
A great way to immerse yourself in Japan
Almost every university and high school in Japan hosts a festival or fair every year around the beginning of November. In these fairs, each class is responsible for an event, such as a play, a game, cafes, food, etc. Often, each university and high school is famous for an aspect of their festival, …(97 words)
RieS
Make funny faces and have fun decorating!
Usually, at purikura machines, you take six photos. For about two of them, my friends and I just smile and do a pose. For the other four, we do funny poses or make faces that make us laugh. The best part of the experience is decorating the photos with comments, drawings and glitters. We can even ch…(121 words)
RieS
Football teams
I think many cheerleaders, according to the Texan definition, are quite visible at football events in Japan (which seems to be more popular in Kansai from my feel of things, with Kyoto University being a "powerhouse")(36 words)
Mike's
SANJA AND SAMBA CARNIVAL
MAYThis is traditional festivals (omatsuri) ！AROUD ASAKUSAhttp://www.sanjasama.jp/AUG.SAMBA CARNIVAL. SAMBA IN TOKYO(asakusa)!!http://www.asakusa-samba.org/index.htmlhttp://www.mapple.net/spots/G01300250807.htm(32 words)
karnavi
Japan Festivals and when, where and how to enjoy.
Wow, where do I begin, there are many many many festivals in around Tokyo to enjoy in the hot hot days of summer.Matsuri, Samba, Fireworks, Music! You name it Tokyo has it. Since there are so many, I'd like to guide you to this link, which has a nice list and lots of info for you to choose fr…(110 words)
DjMarvin
Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi Park in Harajuku near Shibuya almost guaranteed has an event or festival going on during the weekends. Japanese traditional festivals are all well and good, but experiencing more mainstream and modern festivals also provides for a great cultural experience in my opinion.One festival duri…(109 words)
KurtisW
Eastern side of Tokyo
You can see these area in the eastern area of Tokyo. Fukagawa-area which is located around Monzen-nakacho is one of Shitamachi area and there is a Shitamachi museum where you can see the town of Edo period.Tsukishima area is also great.(42 words)
juninada
Tomioka Hachiman
Festival at Tomioka Hachiman is great. Once three years, there are lots of Omikoshi going out in the town. That is called Mizukake Matsuri (water pouring festival).I also recommend the festival at Ohtori shrine in Meguro. It is held in September.(42 words)
juninada
Join Bonodori (Bon dance) in the summer time!
I was surprised and excited that there are a lot of festivals in Tokyo.One of the summer festival called "bonodori"The Bon dance is the Japanese traditional folk dance. The home coming for the souls of ancestors, Join in the Bonodori is fun!People go to their neighborhood bonodori. Lo…(91 words)
yukorose
Omatsuri in Tokyo
I think the one of the best festival in Tokyo is the Akasuka SANJYA MATSURI this festival is held on the 3rd week of May Friday,~sunday!! In this festival both men & women participate!!! Asakusa is the last station on the Ginza line (subway)(44 words)
Pop
Kamogawa, Chiba
I recommend visiting Kamogawa, Chiba. The station name is Awa-Kamogawa and it's about 2 hours from Tokyo on JR. Nice family safe beaches a short walk from the hotels or traditional Japanese ryokans. If you're interested in surfing, the surfers are there from daybreak to sunset. Surfing rentals …(67 words)
Kevin
Fire works party at Jingu Stadium
If it's summer time, you can see one of the most beautiful fireworks in Japan with in nice environment. Jingu Gaien Fireworks is very nice. You can enjoy fireworks at the ball park (stadium) http://www.jinguhanabi.com/(38 words)
KoheiM
Setagaya Ward has about 12 courts for you to use
Setagaya Ward (nearest station would be Sangenjaya and then take the Setagaya line) is a good place to play tennis. Since these are community courts, you need to register in advance at the Setagaya Ward office. If you are going to be in Japan for a little longer than a short visit, it would be rea…(149 words)
slapshot
You can buy "fake food" keepsakes too
You can buy fake food keepsakes online in English here! http://fakefoodjapan.com/(13 words)
Ray_Proper
Koenji Awa Odori
Awa Odori is originate from Tokushima.It is a part of Bon dance: the parties (Ren )dance along the music of syamisen(three stringed), taiko drum, and shinobue flute with the duple beats:)One of the biggest awa odori festivals are held in Koenji. Few minutes train trip from Shinjuku.Every year, ro…(86 words)
lenamum
Plastic food samples in Japan - go to Kappabashi!
If you are in Tokyo, you can go to an area of town very close to Asakusa called Kappabashi. The area is known as the place to go for all kinds of tools, food equipment, etc. But what I liked most about the place was all the stores selling the fake plastic food. This is probably the place where r…(105 words)
William Nealy
Digging for clams during May-July season
there are many seasides that open for visitos to collect clams during May-July. The nearest to Tokyo is the seaside at Funabashi city. If you haven't tried this, it would be a good experience, as thousands of locals will flock the seaside (quite muddy). Not like any other seasides, clams are easily…(85 words)
lucaslim
rent a bicycle to cover the wider yokohama
I have tried both, walk or cycle, and found that cycling is fun in Yokohama. One can cover all the lanes/streets by bicycle easily within a day, enjoying the elegant building structure and discover the old and new Yokohama. If you stay at Balian resorts, they have bicycles (free) standby for their…(57 words)
lucaslim
Where to get plastic food samples?
Just go to 'Tokyu hands'. (Not TOKYO but TOKYU). https://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/en/And ask a shop assistant where to get plastic food samples. We are sure he/she will guide you to get them with smile.(39 words)
Mayu
"Gakuensai" or the fair is usually held on autumn season.
Each university fair has its own unique feature and the event generally lasts three to four days. "Gaigosai" is hosted by Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Fair Committee. There will be theater performances conducted in various languages. Students from each language department will take part in…(126 words)
Hatha Yoga Lover
Firefly Festival "Hotaru Matsuri"
Firefly festivals are held all over Japan usually at the beginning of summer. Almost every community with a waterway has one and they are open to the public. There are usually food stalls selling yaki soba (fried noodles) and yaki tori (chicken kebabs).(43 words)
Kenji
Noge Street Performance Festival
Many street performers participates to this local festivals in Noge, Yokohama. It's best to take public transport to Minato Mirai, Sakuragi-Cho, or Hinode cho stations. FYI:this year of 2013, the festival will be held on the weekend:5th, 6th Oct.(40 words)
lenamum
Myoko Kogen
I recommend Myoko Kogen in Niigata. It is not on a shinkansen (bullet train) line so it is a lot less busy to other more famous ski resorts on the shinkansen lines. You can read more about Myoko Kogen here (http://myokokogen.net/resorts/suginohara/)If you prefer nice powder snow, I recommend …(76 words)
Jase
Tokyo for Under ¥10,000/day
You might consider wandering through Tokyo station and its environs. There are many fine restaurants and the building itself has been magnificently restored.(23 words)
Joel
Your inner-monster
Japanese monsters are totally different from Occidental one.There also are much more frightening because they are not any entity that you can pinpoint and kill, something different from you. No no nooo. The Japanese monsters emanates from your dark side!Go back to the 10th century: litteratur…(319 words)
Claire
Shiba Koen - Zojoji
Zojoji Temple in Shiba Koen has a countdown event we have been going to for close to 20 years. If you get there about 8 p.m. you can get a ticket for an environmentally friendly ballon. Thousands of balloons are released by well wishers to welcome in the New Year after the countdown. The back dr…(70 words)
Ross
Hachi-mangu, Kamakura
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū （鶴岡八幡宮） is the most important Shinto shrine in the city of Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. So, on new years, many Japanese (and foreigners alike) avoid the crowds at Meiji-shrine or Sensoji and go to the seaside in Kamakura to pray for a prospective new year and …(71 words)
E-ric
Scramble Crossing in Shibuya
Often referred to as the busiest intersection in the world, Scramble Crossing is certainly a real zoo. It is much more busy on most evenings and on the weekend, but even on this rainy Thursday afternoon, you can get a sense of the real scramble it is to get across the intersection. People walk in…(109 words)
mikekato
Jump!
Kumo no Umi (Sea of Clouds) is a trampoline in the Showa Kinen Koen (Showa Memorial Park) in Nishi-Tachikawa, on the west side of Tokyo. The trampoline is built as a clump of hills and valleys of various sizes. The white vinyl looks, from afar, like a sea of clouds in the midst of an ocean of tre…(199 words)
mikekato
Snow in the Weather Forecast? Here is a collection of spots for skiing and snowboarding
A friend of mine had a collection of links and reccommended spots.Madarao Sanpatekku and/or Madarao KogenThese are places in Nagano prefecture. The price is reasonable and they have nice ski slopes, hotel and onsens. Distance is around 300km from Tokyo area. The Itinerary with night bus w…(492 words)
Biju Paul